Boating Safety in the Northern Territory
Recreational Boating Safety in NT
The Northern Territory Transport Group has up to date information on all boat safety requirements.
Visit the Northern Territory Transport Group website for the most current information on yacht and boating safety regulations. Below is an overview guide for boat safety equipment for pleasure boats in NT.
You may also like to download the Safety Guide in PDF format for easy reference in the future.
Minimum recreational safety equipment for boats under 5 metres and 5 to 10 metres
Boating regulations in the NT
Recreational vessels do not require registration and skippers are not required to hold a licence to drive a recreational boat but there are minimum safety requirements for most boats.
It is important to check your safety gear and carry the required equipment. Ensure it is in good condition & working order, is of standard to regulations and is stowed responsibly.
For information regarding requirements for recreational vessels in other States view our Boating Safety Requirements home page and select the State of choice.
Safety standards for the operation of pleasure craft or tenders
A person shall not operate a recreational boat or tender at sea unless it is:
- Serviceable;
- Seaworthy for the purpose for which it is operated;
- Not overloaded;
- Provided with a means or carries equipment which will enable a person who has fallen into the sea from the pleasure craft or tender to reboard it; and
- Carries the prescribed safety equipment
Safety equipment requirements
-
Recreational boats under 5 metres in length:
- one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board;
- two paddles or oars fitted with rowlocks;
- one bailer with lanyard;
- one anchor fitted with an anchor cable of not less than 50 metre;
- one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leakproof container;
- one waterproof torch or lantern;
- two red flares;
- two orange smoke signals;
Recreational boats of 5 metres to 10 metres in length:
- one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board;
- one bailer with lanyard or bilge pump;
- one anchor fitted with an anchor cable of not less than 50 metre;
- one portable fire extinguisher;
- one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leak-proof container;
- one waterproof torch or lantern;
- two red flares;
- two orange smoke signals;
- one “V” distress sheet;
- one liquid damped compass;
- one chart of the area of operation.
Recreational boats of more than 10 metres in length:
- one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board;
- one bilge pump with a minimum capacity of 100 litres per minute;
- two anchors, each fitted to an anchor cable of not less than 50 metre;
- two portable fire extinguishers;
- two buckets, each of not less than 9 litre capacity and fitted with a lanyard;
- one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leak-proof container;
- one waterproof torch or lantern;
- two red flares;
- two orange smoke signals;
- one “V” distress sheet;
- one liquid damped compass;
- one chart of the area of operation;
- one lifebuoy fitted with buoyant line.
EPIRB (For all lengths) – One (1) 121.5/243MHz or 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) must be carried onboard if the vessel is operating outside sheltered waters and more than 2 nautical miles from the coast.
Tenders:
A tender is an auxiliary vessel that is used solely for or as a means of transportation between a pleasure craft and the shore. Safety equipment required onboard are:- 2 paddles or oars fitted with rowlocks;
- one bailer with lanyard.
The following safety products can be purchased through the secure Yacht and Boat online store
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